Given that we're constantly asked what our favourite wines are, we're creating our Ultimate Wine List - which is basically a list of the best wines from every region across the world. We're keeping the list to one wine from each producer and sometimes it may not even be the producer's top wine that makes the list but we'll explain our reasons for each wine as we go along. Please note, it's not only wines that we stock (although a lot we do) - it's an ever evolving list of wines that deserve their place. And tasting brilliant wines is not a bad hobby.
We'll post all the wines on Instagram (@elementarywine) if you wish to follow but please do check back here as we add the latest wines each month. Here's what we've enjoyed in May (slightly behind on the tasting notes due to a house move)....
No. 33 - Domaine Roulot Meursault A Mon Plaisir (Burgundy, France) - the first time that I've tasted a wine from Roulot and, given the price point, I expected to be blown away. Whilst it was excellent - rich, complex, elegant, fresh, harmonious - and clearly deserves its place on our list, I can't say that I'd rush back to buy more. Maybe it was me or the day or the company (it was my wife, so can't have been that, haha!), sometimes a wine just doesn't quite live up to (admittedly high) expectations. One to revisit in the future.
No. 32 - Hirsch Vineyards San Andreas Fault Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast, USA) - one of the Sonoma Coast's best Pinot Noirs from a top quality biodynamic producer. We've enjoyed this a few times and it's sensational - the bright fruit singing, wonderful balance, vibrant, elegant, nuanced, long. But, interestingly, we found it gets even better when drunk on a "fruit day" (according to the biodynamic calendar). Biodynamic wines being in harmony with the biodynamic calendar makes sense so check before you open and it will elevate the wine to new levels.
No. 31 - Bereche & Fils Rive Gauche (Champagne, France) - I was going to put the Brut Reserve into the Ultimate Wine List line up as, pound for pound, there are few better Champagnes out there. But given that we needed something to celebrate our recent house purchase, we traded up a bit. This is simply sensational, 100% Pinot Meunier from old low yielding vines, well worth seeking out as there's not a lot produced. Available here.
No. 30 - Planeta Chardonnay (Sicily, Italy) - this has always been one of our favourite Chardonnays from this top producer in Sicily. Rich and luscious with fresh, bright fruit, spice, toast and minerals, it is wonderfully balanced and harmonious. The current vintage (2024) has a small number of selected bottles with a flame label (designed by Claire Fontaine) to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Planeta's partnership with their UK importer, Enotria. Top wine, available here.
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